Comments on: Worshipping Giftedness

By: coffee

coffee — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:05:04 +0000

Phelps might have made alienated a few people with that pot-smoking picture, but i think he gained the support of another huge group of people to take their place

By: Pam

Pam — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:00:11 +0000

It saddens me tremendously that when you Google Micheal Phelps that is what comes up…. I totally understand where you are coming from with this post and no I don’t think you were being judgmental. I do think that the American public is WAY too eager to tear people apart when they should be examining the plank in their own eye. Why do we hold the “talented” to a higher standard than we do ourselves? I know I’m often guilty of this. Just my .02.

By: Pete Wilson

Pete Wilson — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 13:09:38 +0000

@Nikki Jo, I totally understand how this was taken some what judgmental. I think I’ve clearly stated that was not my intention. We all know that our words do not always come out the way we intended.

I’ve also clearly apologized. I think we’re just going to have to agree to disagree on this one and move on.

By: Annie

Annie — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:15:34 +0000

Character is certainly hard to maintain, especially when fame is involved. However, character is not the only issue here. I do not advocate doing drugs but why are we also not questioning the person who took the picture and then distributed it? How ethical is that? Especially if that person knew the repercussions this could have on Michael Phelps life as well as if money was exchanged. Yes Michael did apologize for his actions after ‘being caught’ but the person who took the picture should be just as responsible.

By: kristiapplesauce

kristiapplesauce — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 06:12:25 +0000

This whole thing is so weird…over on this side of the Ocean…nobody cares or is mentioning it at all.

I do agree with the whole character and judgment thing though, so thank you for bringing it to mind (once again).

By: Sarah Joy

Sarah Joy — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:33:13 +0000

I haven’t read any comments – so sorry if this is repeating anyone’s! I don’t disagree about the character issue. He is one talented guy, and it was awesome watching him do what he did at the Olympics – and I must admit I’ve been a fan since, buying the magazines, his book, etc. This news (just now heard from you – thanks!) makes my respect for him dwindle quite a bit. However, I also think that because he is in the public eye, and for all celebrities, that their mishaps and bad judgements get scrutinized and blown out of proportion. If this was some random 23 year old going to school at Michigan getting caught smoking pot, it wouldn’t even be on the local news. But because his name is Michael Phelps who won 8 gold medals this year, it’s a national headline. It’s difficult.

I think what he did was wrong, bad judgement on his part, but sometimes I just think things get blown out of proportion when it comes to celebrities. Again, not condoning what he did, just sayin’.

By: Diana (life is good)

Diana (life is good) — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:07:51 +0000

Pete -
You’re just awesome. I read a dozen or more replies and I just love how you keep this all real. It’s not about Michael Phelps – it’s about us. It’s about us. How many comments said “I’m so glad my mistakes are not on Google” It is personal, we all mess up and should look to other peoples mess ups like mirrors. I’m no better –or worse– than a lot of people. Best I can do is keep trying to do better.

By: Nikki Jo

Nikki Jo — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:03:42 +0000

I love your writing and your posts. I find you authentic. But to be truthful, your last paragraph didn’t change what was written…. it’s like saying, “I don’t want to be mean, but your hair looks horrible”.

YOU said what he did was a stupid mistake. That was a judgement, no matter if you prelude it with “I don’t want to be judgemental”. You still were, the moment you labeled his legal act as a “stupid mistake”.

By: eric vidmar

eric vidmar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:03:28 +0000

You know what if you want a roll model here he is, someone who can be a top athlete Olympic athlete who still is human guess what no one is perfect and everyone has vices so i don’t know how this is a problem.

By: Jan Connair

Jan Connair — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 04:13:38 +0000

I think character matters a great deal. And I think that it is critical for young people, by the time they reach adolescence, to really begin spending some time deciding what they believe in and what kind of character they want to have. We teach them and lecture them and tell them what their values should be, but unless they stop and consider it for themselves and really own it, they will be lost the first time they are faced with a moral dilemma and need to make a hard choice.